Education
Restoring confidence with a trauma-informed approach
Sometimes young people have difficulties in their past, such as a bereavement, abuse or other stressful events that have impacted upon them.
Trauma has a deep and long-lasting effect on the brain and can physiologically change the brains development. For some, this can result in a reduction in the volume of important brain structures by as much as 20 per cent, and a propensity to become hyper vigilant and feel under threat.
If a young person feels like this, they struggle to learn new information as the structures within the brain that are involved in language and learning are effectively switched off. The person is more likely to have outbursts or exhibit violent behaviour, which may lead to exclusions in main stream schools.
At Falcons Learning, the approach we take is designed to minimise this. For many young people with a traumatic past, the act of new learning can represent a challenge that may trigger a dissociative reaction and behaviours that challenge.
By using practical applications wherever possible within the learning environment the learners are able to use their fine motor skills which can ‘kickstart’ the learning process by switching the processing centre within the brain.
Working together with respect
Unlike mainstream schools, we do not have a huge raft of rules and set consequences as many learners may have experienced in the past.
The key word at Falcons Learning is respect.
We value respect, effort and kindness to our peers. We foster a team spirit with the staff and learners and make them feel part of the same team on a journey to achieving learner success together.
Our focus is on meeting each child’s individual needs, and we work hard to involve learners in the co-production of their educational experience. This collaborative approach helps each learner feel that we are working alongside them in their education, rather than doing it to them.
Our Falcon Learning Principles
Our ongoing strategic journey to become and remain an Outstanding school at the forefront of special needs education is based on four key principles.
Always With Intent
We deliver an ambitious, inclusive curriculum providing disadvantaged and SEND learners with essential knowledge, skills and cultural capital needed for future success and employment beyond the classroom.
Implementation
Qualified subject specialists deliver clear, learner-centred lessons that encourage discussion and ownership. Progress is monitored and responsive feedback ensures teaching continually adapts to meet our learners’ needs in every lesson.
Steady Progress
The curriculum is designed to enable learners to build secure foundations, steadily develop knowledge and grow their transferable skills. Learning is sequenced so new understanding connects meaningfully to prior learning and each individual’s needs.
Assess & Impact
Assessment is used intelligently to check understanding, inform planning and celebrate success. Leaders avoid unnecessary burden, using reliable data to target timely support and maximise every learner’s progress over time.
Equipping our learners for life
Vocational skills
We deliver an ambitious, inclusive curriculum providing disadvantaged and SEND learners with essential knowledge, skills and cultural capital needed for future success and employment beyond the classroom.
Strong, confident readers
Reading holds the key to learning. A rigorous reading approach builds confidence and enjoyment. Materials closely match phonics knowledge in early stages, with targeted phonics delivered by trained staff when additional support is required.
Ready for training or work
Learners are well prepared for further education, employment or training, gaining appropriate qualifications and developing strong reading fluency, comprehension, and independence aligned with their aspirations and study goals.
Easily overcome barriers
Learners with SEND are supported to overcome barriers, develop resilience and build strong interpersonal skills that will enable them to enjoy sustained employment, independence or successful progression into further education or training.